As a veteran newspaper hack, although long ago jumping ship to PR, I still love the feel of a newspaper and its physical benefits - like being able to leaf through it over a quiet pint. But there has got to be something in there that you can’t get elsewhere.

For local papers, that means strong local material. And, I submit, means strengthening your editorial team not savaging it and then making the few remaining poor blighters fill in boxes on an website.

It will, of course, take great courage to turn away from this slash and burn approach of many newspaper managements.

But there are signs that others may follow the PET route.The tiny Whitchurch Herald, serving north Shropshire and south Cheshire, is one - under brave new owners the NWN Media Group.

Saving it at the last minute from the Trinity axe, NWN had a ‘Eureka moment’ to spot something of value in this strong community title that had suffered deep neglect for sometime.

The Herald has relaunched with more and brighter pages crammed with strong local news and appealing features. First signs are that it is being well supported by both advertisers and readers. It is early days, but, just as it appears for PET, prospects look promising. We shall have to wait and see if either papers get their shiny corporate shoes wet.